NEW YORK A Gallup report released today reveals that more than half ofall Americans, rejecting evolution theory and scientific evidence,agree with the statement, "God created man exactly how Bible describesit."

Another 31% says that man did evolve, but "God guided." Only 12% backevolution and say "God had no part."

Gallup summarized it this way: "Surveys repeatedly show that asubstantial portion of Americans do not believe that the theory ofevolution best explains where life came from." They are "not so quickto agree with the preponderance of scientific evidence."

The report was written by the director of the The Gallup Poll, Frank Newpo=rt.

Breaking down the numbers, Gallup finds that Republican backing forwhat it calls "God created human beings in present form" stands at 57%with Democrats at 44%.

Support for this Bible view rises steadily with age: from 43% forthose 18 to 29, to 59% for those 65 and older. It declines steadilywith education, dropping from 58% for those with high school degreesto a still-substantial 25% with postgraduate degrees.

Newport wraps it up: "Several characteristics correlate with beliefin the biblical explanation for the origin of humans. Those with lowerlevels of education, those who attend church regularly, those who are65 and older, and those who identify with the Republican Party aremore likely to believe that God created humans 'as is,' than are thosewho do not share these characteristics."

Gallup has asked this question, in different forms, going back to1982, but has consistently shown support at 45% or higher for thenotion that "God created man in present form."

The most recent poll, last September, posed the question this way:"Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on theorigin and devlopment of human beings." This produced the 53% whochose "God created man exactly how Bible describes it."